East El Paso couple face federal prostitution charges

An El Paso couple have been charged in federal court on charges they ran an escort service.

Ronald Lee Blake, 45, and his wife Maria Blake, 44, each face charges of aiding and abetting coercion and enticement. Maria Blake is also charged with one count of coercion and enticement.

According to officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, the Blakes are accused of persuading or attempting to persuade people to travel "in foreign or interstate commerce" to engage in prostitution in El Paso since July 2011.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of all money the Blakes received as a result of the alleged offenses, and the Blakes' home in the 2400 block of Tierra Nueva Drive in East El Paso.

Last year, El Paso County Sheriff's deputies arrested the Blakes for allegedly using a website, backpage.com, to promote their escort service.

Deputies alleged that in February 2013, the couple drove two women from hotel to hotel in a blue Honda Insight to have sex with customers who were charged $120 for each woman. The Blakes allegedly paid the women $50 each from the proceeds.

During one stop, Ronald Blake escorted the women to a hotel room, collected payment and ran back to the Honda Insight. After deputies arrested the women, they spotted the Blakes in the Honda, which was parked nearby. Deputies alleged that during their investigation, they discovered the couple was responsible for placing the online posts advertising escorts, and that a cellphone used to take calls from customers belonged to Maria Blake.

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State court records show Ronald Blake was not charged in that case, but Maria Blake still faces a pending misdemeanor prostitution charge.

According to federal court records, the Blakes were allowed to each post a $10,000 bond. Their trial date has yet to be set.

If convicted, the Blakes face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.